Whiplash premiered in-competition in the US Dramatic Category at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival on January 16, 2014, as the festival's opening film. Sony Pictures Worldwide acquired the international distribution rights. The film was nominated for five awards at the 87th Academy Awards, and won three for Best Supporting Actor (for Simmons), Best Film Editing and Best Sound Mixing. Whiplash has received critical acclaim, with critics particulary praising the performances of Simmons and Teller and the film itself has gained a reputation as one of the best movies of 2014.